In the Marine Corps and in many barber shops which cater to marines, it starts with the barber's hand laid flat with fingers pointed forward. The barber uses an electric razor to quickly and efficiently remove all hair off your head except for what is under his palm...after that is done, the barber will cut half of the length left under his palm and fade the edges to the top...it doesn't look good on everybody,especially the first time. But after about the third cut, it starts to look more even considering tanning of your scalp. Oorah...